Im the editor of the PEN Poetry Series, a weekly online series that publishes work selected by me and a rotating cast of three guest editors. Last year, guest editor Maggie Nelson featured excerpts from an incredible poem by Layli LongSoldier called Whereas. Absolutely unbeknownst to me, the editors of PENs print journal, which is called PEN America, published this work in their latest issue, but they changed the title of Laylis poem to To Exhaust a Horse. I have no idea why this happened, Im seeking answers myself, but suffice it to say I find this preposterous, offensive, and unacceptable, and Layli details why in her statement, which Ive reposted as the first comment here below. I entirely support Layli in being steaming mad about this, Im steaming mad about this, and I want to say, for the record, that this also offends the editorial vision on which the PEN Poetry Series publishes work, namely that we oppose censorship and want to feature work by poets in a place that opposes this kind of imperious muscling. The work is the work, dont touch it. I believe PEN America owes Layli a public apology. For my part, the PEN Poetry Series will continue to publish the most stunning and challenging work we read, and we will never alter a poets work. If youd like to contact the editor of the print journal where this alteration occurred, her name is M Mark and she can be reached here: [email protected]. If you would like to contact PENs executive director, her name is Suzanne Nossel and she can be reached here: [email protected]. If you would like to read Laylis poem, Whereas, as Layli wrote it, Ive relinked it here.
Posted on: Sat, 10 May 2014 16:45:54 +0000
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